Prince Rogers Nelson, arguably the most famous musician from the North Star State, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 7, 1958. After high school, Prince immersed himself into music, and within a decade, became an entertainment phenom. His legacy on the music scene still reverberates today.
Prince’s musical genius as a musician, composer, innovator, and a cultural icon resulted in thousands of songs and dozens of albums, His illustrious catalog of work includes the huge hit album Purple Rain and the critically acclaimed Sign of the Times, amongst others.
Prince died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl at the age of 57.
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March 15, 2004 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Bill Banfield, St. Thomas music professor, about the induction of Prince Rogers Nelson into the Rock Hall of Fame. Banfield breaks down many of the elements that make Prince a musical genius in the composition and performance.
June 5, 2006 - On this segment of Future Tense, MPR’s Jon Gordon interviews founder Tiffany Shlain about this year’s WEBBY Awards, including a lifetime Internet achievement award to Prince for his visionary use of the web as a music artist.
February 2, 2007 - The Current’s Bill DeVille joins All Things Considered’s Tom Crann to talk about why he is excited for the Super Bowl and possible songs Prince might play.
July 31, 2007 - On this episode of Musicheads, guests Tony Lopez and Danny Sigelman talks with host Bill DeVille discuss Prince's Planet Earth, check out the world music sounds of Stereo Spirit by African musician Daby Toure' (and spend some time chewing on just what "world music" means anyway), and share enthusiasm for the John Doe release, A Year In The Wilderness.
June 25, 2010 - As one of Minnesota's most famous sons receives a lifetime achievement award by the cable tv station BET, Chris Roberts gathers two prominent Prince watchers and his former drummer to talk about Prince's relationship with his hometown.
April 21, 2016 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on the career of the musical genius Prince. Kerr interviews numerous individuals who reflect on Prince.
April 21, 2016 - MPR’s Matt Sepic gets reaction from local Prince fans upon the news of musician’s unexpected death. The Minnesota-born international superstar whose sound revolutionized pop music and put the Minneapolis scene on the map, was found dead earlier in the morning at his Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen.
April 21, 2016 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with The Current’s Andrea Swensson, who describes the scene at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen after the death of Prince at his home complex. There is a miles-long traffic jam leading to his studio and regular concert venue.
April 21, 2016 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews songwriter Jimmy Jam about the death of music genius Prince. Jimmy Jam shares reflections on Prince and his legacy.
April 21, 2016 - The Current Local Show host Jade Tittle checks in with The Current’s Andrea Swensson at Paisley Park, who verifies on-air that Prince has died. A heart-broken Swensson shares a brief personal account of the musician.